ESRI (UK) to partner The Royal Geographical Society’s Geography Ambassadors programme

The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and ESRI (UK) are launching today a new partnership to support, promote and enhance the Society’s flagship Geography Ambassadors Programme. ESRI (UK) will be the programme’s Corporate Partner.  

 Bringing two of the UK’s leading geographical organisations together for the first time, the exciting new partnership will marry the UK’s largest pool of Geographic Information System (GIS) expertise from ESRI (UK), with the nationwide Geography Ambassadors Programme that brings geographical inspiration and knowledge to more than 37,000 young people every year through Ambassador visits to their classrooms. It is a timely partnership, building on the recent introduction of GIS into the curriculum, and the way in which geographers are being sought out by employers for their skills and knowledge.

GIS is a powerful technology that combines location-based data with mapping and which enables organisations to visualise, analyse and share that spatial information.  Estimated to be worth as much as £900 million* in the UK, GIS technology underpins strategic development, services and business processes across the public and private sectors - locally, nationally and globally.  

Director of the Society, Dr Rita Gardner, says the new development is a natural partnership for both organisations. “Thousands of young people have already seen, thanks to our Geography Ambassadors, how the knowledge and skills they learn through geography can make them employable across a variety of fields.

 “With more and more industries relying on GIS in their business planning and decision making, we have a real opportunity with our new partnership with ESRI (UK) to enhance the Ambassadors Programme with a new pool of GIS Ambassadors that will inspire even more young people with the relevance and applications of geography,” she said.

Managing Director of ESRI (UK), Dr Richard Waite, believes a geographic approach to problem solving ensures better communication and collaboration – key skills for the 21^st century: “GIS is becoming an indispensable part of daily life – from telecommunications to public safety, insurance and retail – there is an increasing requirement for people with strong geographical analysis and computer skills to help organisations unlock their true potential,” he said.

“Now that GIS is part of the national curriculum, I believe there has never been a better time for us to bring our expertise into the Geography Ambassadors Programme.  Working with the Society means we are helping the next generation of geographers to become the problem solvers of the future.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830, our Royal Charter of 1859 is for 'the advancement of geographical science'. Today, we deliver this objective by developing, supporting and promoting geographical research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, and public engagement, while also providing geography input to policy. The Society offers the professional accreditation 'Chartered Geographer' including a specialist GIS professional strand  www.rgs.org
2. ESRI (UK) is the leading provider of geographic information system (GIS) technology, helping businesses become more profitable and public service more efficient through a better understanding and analysis of location-based information. ESRI (UK) has been providing GIS solutions for over 20 years to a wide range of markets including Central & Local Government, Commercial, Defence & National Security, Education, Public Safety, Utilities & Telecommunications, as well as catering for system integrators and application developers through the ESRI Developer Network. ESRI (UK) helps organisations to think and plan geographically in order to make better decisions, keep communities safe and create a more sustainable world. For more information, visit www.esriuk.com
3. The Geography Ambassador Programme is the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)’s flagship programme to engage and inspire young people at school, aged 13-18, with the study of geography and to promote an understanding of its importance and relevance in the workplace.  Created in 2006 with initial funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the project has in 2010 seen more than 500 Ambassadors – aged 20-35 – engage with more than 37,000 school pupils face to face. www.rgs.org/ambassadors